Sewing machine attachment



March 19, 1935. c. SEAMAN SEWING MACHINE ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 26, 1923 R O T N E V m ATTORNEY March 19, 1935. c. 'SEAMAN 1 994 965 SEWING MACHINE ATTACHMENT Filed Oct. 26, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 18 Claims.

This invention relates to a sewing machine and more particularly to a sewing machine attachment for forming piping having two folds.

Apparatus has already been devised to produce various types of piping and particularly one-fold piping having one or both of its edges folded inwardly, said folded edges being brought into contact with each other and secured together by means of a blind stitching passing through the under fold of one of said edge folds and through the other edge fold. If desired, the apparatus for the production of these pipings included means for positioning a filler, folded or not, within one of the edge folds whereby a puffed piping was produced.

I have found that by adding to said mechanism a folding mechanism I am able to produce a piping having two folded portions, one or both of the edges of one of said folded portions being folded under and the edges of the her folded portion disposed between said folded e es and secured therein by means of a blind stitching, said stitching passing through the inner edge of one of said edge folds, through the edges of the other folded material and through the other folded edge of the first-mentioned folded material.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for producing a piping having two folded portions.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for making a piping having two folded portions in which the stitching is hidden from view.

Further objects will appear from the following description, appended claims and the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the attachment constituting this invention mounted on the presser-foot bar of a sewing machine.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the complete attachment.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the folding mechanisms.

Figure 4 is a section on line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the folding of the binding materials and the filler.

Figure 6 is a vertical section of another folding mechanism.

Figure I is a section on line '7--'! of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross-section of the piping produced attached to some material.

Referring to the drawings wherein there is illustrated one modification of this invention, the reference numeral 1 designates a feeding mechanism positioned in a suitable base 2 upon which the head of a sewing machine (not shown) having a foot bar 3 and a reciprocating needle-holder 4 is suitably mounted. Since the particular type of sewing machine does not form any part of this 5 invention, further description of the sewing machine is deemed unnecessary.

Mounted on the head of the machine is a suitable bracket 5 on which there is loosely mounted for free rotation a plurality of spools, 6, 7 and 8. 10 The spool 6 carries a binding material 9, one or both edges of which are to be folded under and brought into position facing each other and forming one portion of the piping. The spool '7 carries a filling material 10 which is to be disposed inside one of the edge folds of the binding material 9 to form a puffed finish and for other purposes hereinafter more clearly explained. The spool 8 carries a binding material 11 to be folded longitudinally thereof and the edges thereof positioned within the edges of the folded binding material 9. I

The binding material 9, as it is unwound from the spool 6 for its passage to the folding attachment 12, is supported by means of a gate 13 through which the binding material 9 is fed. The gate 13 may be made of any desired form or shape. The form which I have shown in the drawings is conveniently made of wire folded upon itself in the manner illustrated, one end of which is secured to the attachment 12 and the other end being free. The gate 13 not only serves as a guide mechanism but also functions as a tension device exerting the proper amount of tension on the material fed therethrough.

The folding attachment 12, above mentioned, is designed to receive the binding material 9 and the filler 10, fold them in proper position and position them adjacent the point where the folded binding material 11 is fed between the edges of the binding material 9 and stitched. Specifically, the attachment 12 is designed to fold one or both of the edges of the binding material 9 inwardly and bring them in position facing each other and adapted to receive the binding material 11 folded by mechanism 14 into position for stitching. The attachment 12 is also equipped with means for introducing the filler 10 within one of the edge folds of the binding material 9 and to fold said filler 10 longitudinally prior to its introduction in the edge fold.

This attachment 12 is positioned adjacent the gate 13 and is provided with three guides hereinafter explained. The binding material 9 and the filler 10 enter the attachment 12 at the right hand end, as viewed in Figure 2, and at this end there are provided two guides and 16. The entire attachment 12 may conveniently be made of sheet metal and the guides may be formed in the manner indicated in Figures 3 and 4 by folding the metal upon itself. The guide 15 is adapted to receive the binding material 9 and the guide 16 the filler 10. The lower part 1'7 of the guide 15 ex tends in a direction toward the needle and forms the lower part of a third guide 18, the upper portion of which is formed by means of wings 19 turned up from said lower part and secured at the top to the back 20, this back forming an extension of the upper portion of the guides 15 and 16.

It is to be understood that the binding is threaded through the guides 15 and 18, while the filler 10 is threaded through the guides 16 and 18. When the binding material passes through the guide 15, it is in the form of an inverted U which is transformed into a W by the guide 18 which turns up the edges of the binding material. The filler 10, folded upon itself as indicated at 21 in Figure 5, is received within the edge fold 22 of the binding.

As the binding material 9 with the folded filler 10 leaves the guide 18, it passes between the walls of the recess 23 which inverts the binding and causes the edge folds 22 and 24 of the binding material 9 to double inwardly as indicated in Figure 5. The attachment 12 is provided with a pair of guide members 25 and 26 which are in substantial alignment with the walls of the recess 23. These members serve to keep the binding material from pushing outwardly from the recess 23, particularly when there is a seam in the binding.

When the binding material 9 and its filling material 10 are in the position just described, the edges 27 of the binding material 11 brought into contacting position by the attachment 14 are fed in such a manner that the edges 2'7 of the binding material 11 are disposed between the edges 22 and 24 of the binding material 9.

The folding attachment 14 for folding the binding material 11 comprises a member 28, the outer end constituting the entrance thereof being flared in the manner illustrated in Figure 6. The lower end thereof is formed with a guide 29 whereby the material being fed therethrough is folded longitudinally thereof. A gate 30 formed similarly to the gate 13 is attached to the attachment 14 and functions as a support and tension member for the filler 11 being fed therethrough. If desired, the attachment 14 may be provided with an extension 31 adjacent the entrance and forming a guide or support.

The material assembled as above described is then bent rearwardly at substantially right angles to the direction of its feed and passed beneath the foot 32 which is preferably formed of a spring plate disposed beneath the guide member 25 as shown in Figure 2. One end of the foot is bent over in close proximity to the path of travel of the needle so as to guide the fold 22 beneath the point of the needle. At this stage the two edge folds 22 and 24 extend in a vertical direction and have the edges 2'7 of the binding material 11 positioned therebetween. After being fed downwardly over the end of the foot 32, the fold 22 is bent backwardly under the foot 32, the bend extending transversely of the length of the binding. The materials thus assume the positions illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 5, in which the fold 22 lies in a plane parallel to the needle path. In this position the needle enters and leaves the lower or inner layer of the fold 22 from the under side thereof through the edges 2''! of the binding material 11 and through the other edge fold 24 of the binding material 9. If the filler 10 is used in the making of the piping, the needle will penetrate one portion of the folded filling material, viz. that portion adjacent the inner face of the fold 22, as illustrated by the stitch 50 in Figure 8. The stitch 50 is shown for convenience as folded at 51 in a slightly transverse direction. It is to be understood, however, that the fold normally extends substantially in the direction of the stitching. The under layers of the two edge folds 22 and 24 are caused to assume parallel positions with each other as they are fed beneath the foot 32 by the feeding mechanism 1 disposed in the base 2 carrying the machine head, thus forming a stitch concealed from view. The stitching produced as above described will pass through the under surface of the fold 22, the two edge folds 2'7, the filling material 9 and will then be folded down on itself in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the binding.

The foot 32 must be so positioned that it will present sufficient material to the needle on which to catch the stitching. In actual practice, the foot is resiliently mounted so that it will yield on each actuation of the needle. It is, therefore, obvious that it is necessary to provide means for an accurate adjustment of the foot 32. T0 attain this result the foot 32 is made of a resilient material and positioned on the leg 33 extending from a block 34. To provide for adjusting the spring foot member 32, one end thereof is formed with a hollow tubular member 35 loosely mounted on a screw 36 fixedly carried by the leg 33. The tubular member 35 is adapted to embrace a spring 37 mounted on said screw and which spring is adapted to normally force said tubular member away from contact with the leg 33. Adjacent the tubular member there are provided a sleeve 38 and a washer 39 which are loosely mounted on the screw 36 and adapted to slide longitudinally thereof. Adjacent the washer 39 is a nut 40, which is threaded on the screw 36 and adapted to bear against the washer 39 to determine the longitudinal position of said washer and of the tubular member 35 whereby the resilient presserfoot 32 may be adjusted against the tension of the spring 37 to any desired relation with the needle.

The attachment 12 may be supported in any suitable manner. I have shown it carried by means of an adjustable bracket 41 mounted on the block 34. The attachment 14 is also adjustably mounted on the block 34, by means of a bracket 42, whereby it may be positioned as desired. Due to the adjustable arrangement of the brackets, they may be adjusted to any positionoperative or inoperative as desired.

For the sake of simplicity, I have illustrated means for making a piping per se, but it is to be understood that one of the principal uses to which this invention may be put is the sewing of a piping upon a piece of material. It will be seen that the piping, as it leaves the needle, is directed rearwardly on the machine. When it is desired to attach the piping to a piece of material, it may be accomplished by guiding the edge of the material over the shoe 43 which is rigidly attach-ed to the attachment 12.

In Figure 8 illustrating the piping produced, it will be seen that the edge of the fabric 44 is guided between the edge fold 24 of the binding material 9 and one of the edges 2'? of the folded portion 11. This material has been omitted from the other views to simplify the disclosure and to aid in the understanding of the invention. It is, of course, obvious that the material 44 may be disposed between the fold 22 and the edges 27 instead of as above described.

In the above description I have described the material 11 as binding material. It is to be understood that the material 11 may be made of any color and preferably one that contrasts with the color of the binding material 9, whereby a multi-colored piping of pleasing effect is produced. If desired, various materials such as lace or other ornamental fabric may be used instead of the binding material 11.

From the above it will be seen that I have provided a novel means of making a piping and sewing it to a piece of material. The attachment may be cheaply and readily secured to any standard sewing machine by mounting the block 34 on the presser-foot bar 32 by any suitable means. The gist of the invention resides in turning down one or both edges of a binding material so as to form a fold, the under edge of which is brought into position facing the other edge of the binding, and in this position the other binding material folded upon itself is fed therebetween and stitching passed through the under layer of the fold so as to secure it to the portion of the binding which it faces. The filler aids the material in doing this. It will be seen that the fold is bent transversely of its length and brought into line with the feed of the material or with the length of the piping. The stitching is then performed as described.

I am aware that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and therefore I do not intend to limit myself except by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sewing machine comprising means to turn under an edge of a binding material to form an edge fold, means to bring said edge fold into position facing the opposite edge of said material, means to bring the edges of another binding material into position facing each other, means to position the edges of said second binding ma terial between the opposite edge and edge fold of the first-named binding material, and means to form a blind stitch through said edge fold and edges.

2. A sewing machine attachment comprising means to turn under an edge of a binding material to form an edge fold, means to bring said edge fold into position facing the opposite edge of said material, means to bring the edges of another binding material into position facing each other, means to position the edges of said second binding material between the opposite edge and edge fold of the first-named binding material, and means to position said materials whereby a needle reciprocating in a vertical direction enters and emerges from the under surface of the lower layer of said edge fold in its penetrating thrust, and then passes through the edges of said second binding and through the edge of said first-named binding opposite said edge fold.

3. A sewing machine comprising a needle to be reciprocated in a vertical direction, means to turn under an edge of a binding material to form an edge fold, means to bring said edge fold into position facing the opposite edge of said material, means to bring the edges of another binding material into position facing each other, means to position the edges of said second binding material between the opposite edge and edge fold of the first-named binding material, and means to guide said edge fold of said binding material beneath the needle in position to cause said needle in its penetrating thrust to enter the under layer of said fold from the under side thereof and leave from the said under side of the under layer of said fold.

4. A sewing machine comprising means to turn under an edge of a binding material to form an edge fold having upper and lower layers, means to bring said edge fold into position facing the opposite edge of said binding material, means to bring the edges of another binding material into position facing each other, means to position the edges of said second binding material between the edge and edge fold of the first-named binding material, a presser foot over the edge of which said materials are bent and a needle reciprocating in a vertical direction to stitch said materials at the bend thereof, said needle entering and emerging from the under surface of the lower layer of said edge fold in its penetrating thrust and then passing through the edges of said second binding material and through the opposite edge of said first-named binding material.

5. A sewing machine comprising means to turn under the edges of a binding material forming edge folds, means to feed into one of said edge folds a filler, means to bring said edge folds into position facing each other, means to bring the edges of another binding material in position facing each other, means to position the edges of said second binding material between the edge folds of the first-named binding material, and means to fasten said edges and edge folds together.

6. A sewing machine comprising means to turn under an edge of a binding material to form an edge fold, means to feed a filler into said edge fold, means to bring said fold into position facing the opposite edge of said material, means to bring the edges of another binding material into position facing each other, means to position the edges of said second-binding material between the edge and edge fold of the first-named binding material, and means to fasten said edges and edge fold together.

7. A sewing machine attachment for producing pipings comprising means to turn under an edge of a binding material to form an edge fold, means to feed a filler into said edge fold, means to bring said edge fold into position facing the opposite edge of said material, means to bring the edges of another binding material into position facing each other, means to position the edges of said second binding material between the opposite edge and edge fold of the first-named binding material, and means to form a blind stitch through said edge fold and edges.

8. A sewing machine comprising a needle to be reciprocated in a vertical direction, means to turn under an edge of a binding material to form an edge fold having upper and lower layers, means to feed a filler into said edge fold, means to bring said edge fold into position facing the opposite edge of said material, means to bring the edges of another binding material into position facing each other, means to position the edges of said second binding material between the opposite edge and edge fold of the first-named binding material, and means to guide said edge fold of said binding material beneath the needle in position to permit said needle to enter and emerge from the under surface of the lower layer of said fold in its penetrating thrust.

9. A sewing machine comprising means to turn under the edges of a binding material forming edge folds, means to fold a filler material, means to feed said folded filler in one of said edge folds, means to dispose the edges of a longitudinally folded binding material between said edge folds, means to bend said materials, and means to stitch said materials at said bend, said stitching mechanism entering and leaving the under surface of the lower layer of one of said edge folds in its penetrating thrust and thereafter penetrating said edges and other edge fold.

10. A sewing machine comprising means to fold under the edges of a binding material forming edge folds, means to feed a filler in one of said edge folds, means to bend said binding material filler, means to feed the edges of another longitudinally folded binding material between said edge folds, a needle reciprocating in a vertical direction to stitch said materials, and means to guide one of the edge folds of said binding material in position for said needle to enter the under surface of the lower layer of one of said edge folds, pass through the under surface of said folded filler, emerge from the said under surface of said lower layer and then pass through the edges of said second folded binding material and through the other edge fold of the first-mentioned binding material.

11. A sewing machine comprising a needle, a presser foot having its edge in close proximity to the path of travel of said needle and made of resilient material, means to adjust said foot in relation to said needle, and means urging said foot to said adjusted position.

12. A sewing machine comprising a needle, a presser foot having one end bent over and in close proximity to the path of travel of said needle, a tubular member attached to the other end of said foot, a support on which said foot is mounted, a spring engaged by said tubular member, and means to move said member whereby said foot is adjusted to any position relative to said needle.

13. A method of making a piping which comprises folding under one edge of a binding material, longitudinally folding said material, incorporating a filler material in said edge fold, feeding the edges of another longitudinally folded material between said edge fold and edge of the first-named material, and stitching through the under surface of the lower layer of said edge fold, through the filler and through the other edges, whereby a blind stitch is produced.

14. A method of making a piping which comprises folding under the edges of a binding material forming edge folds, feeding a folded filler in one of said edge folds, positioning the edges of another longitudinally folded material between said folded edges, positioning said materials so that a needle may ter the under surface of the lower layer of sa edge folds, pass through the filler, through the edge portions of the secondnamed material and through the other edge fold of the first-named material, and so stitching said materials.

15. A sewing machine attachment comprising means to turn under an edge of a binding material to form an edge fold having upper and lower layers, means to bring said edge fold into position facing the opposite edge of said binding material, means to bring the edges of another binding material into position facing each other, means to position the edges of said second binding material between the edge and edge fold of the first-named binding material, a presser foot over the edge of which said materials are bent into position so that a needle reciprocating in a vertical direction will stitch said materials at the bend thereof, said needle entering and emerging from the under surface of the lower layer of said edge fold in its penetrating thrust and then passing through the edges of said second binding material and through the opposite edge of the said first-named binding material.

16. A sewing machine attachment comprising means to turn under an edge of a binding material to form an edge fold having upper and lower layers, means to provide a filler in said edge fold, means to bring said edge fold in position facing the opposite edge of said material, means to bring the edges of another binding material into position facing each other, means to position the edges of said second binding material between the opposite edge and edge fold of the firstnamed binding material, and means to guide said edge fold of said binding beneath a vertically reciprocating needle in position to permit said needle to penetrate the lower layer of the edge fold from the under surface thereof through at least a portion of the filler and emerge from the under surface of the said lower layer of said edge fold in its penetrating thrust and then pass through the edges of the second-named folded material and the other edge of the first-named material.

1'7. A method of making a piping which comprises folding under an edge of a binding material to form an edge fold having upper and lower layers, longitudinally folding said material, longitudinally folding another material, feeding the edges of the second folded material between the edge fold and opposite edge of the first material, positioning the materials so that a vertically reciprocating needle will enter and emerge from the under surface of the lower layer of the edge fold in its penetrating thrust and then pass through the edges of the second-named folded material and the other edge of the first-named material, and so stitching the materials.

18. A method of making a piping which comprises folding under an edge of a binding material to form an edge fold having upper and lower layers, longitudinally folding said material, incorporating a filler in said edge fold, longitudinally folding another material, feeding the edges of the second folded material between the edge fold and opposite edge of the first material, positioning the materials so that a vertically reciprocating needle will penetrate the lower layer of the edge fold from the under surface thereof through at least a portion of the filler and emerge from the under surface of the said lower layer of said edge fold in its penetrating thrust and then pass through the edges of the second-named folded material and the other edge of the firstnamed material, and so stitching the materials.

CHARLES SEAMAN.

CERTIFICATE OF CCRRECTION.

Patent No. 1,994,965. March 19, 1935.

CHARLES SEAMAN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page i, first column, line 21, for "eges" read edges; and page 4, first column, line 64, claim 14; after "of" insert the words one of; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of April, A. D. 1935.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

